Commentary and advice on online fundraising and leveraging social media for non-profits.

10 Creative Ways for Soliciting Donations

It’s as easy as counting to 10: Ask 10 friends to donate 10 dollars. Then ask 10 co-workers to donate $10 each. Ask 10 neighbors to do the same. How about 10 relatives? Each “set of 10” raises $100 (and in this example… you’ve just raised $400)

Spare Change: Decorate donation jars with charity logo and inspiring quotes. Then ask your favorite restaurants, retail locations or community gathering places to put out a jar for donations for spare change donations.

Gift Donations: In lieu of a birthday gift, wedding gift, house-warming gift, etc. ask your friends and family to make a donation to your fundraiser.

Email Donation Requests: Send emails to your friends and family asking for their support in reaching your fundraising goal. Include a link to your fundraising website.

At the Office: Ask your boss if you can post announcements, leave a donation jar in the break-room, or send an internal email with a link where co-workers can make online donations

Place of worship: Ask your local place of worship if they will make an announcement to the congregation, and set up a donation table after services. (sometimes they may even pass an “extra” donation basket to raise money for a worthy cause)

Host a Home Party: Provide food, drinks, and fun activities (such as “game night”). Charge a donation at the door.

Benefit night at local restaurant or retail store: Partner with a local restaurant or store by asking them to donate a percentage of sales for one day.

Tribute Donations: Encourage donors to make their donations “in honor of”, or “in memory of” someone they know who may have been affected by the cause you are fighting for.